Pure

Maigred slipped into Sinead’s room. Sinead was sleeping peacefully.

Maigred went and sat on the edge of Sinead’s bed. She stared at her daughter’s perfect face. She knew what she needed to do, but she didn’t want to. She laid her hand on Sinead’s shoulder and gave her a gentle shake. “Sinead?”

She didn’t react.

Maigred had to shake her shoulder a few more times before the girl finally opened her eyes.

Sinead blinked up at Maigred in a disoriented way. “Mama?” She finally whispered. “Is everything okay?”

Maigred smiled. “Yes, sweetheart, I just need to talk to you about something.”

Sinead rubbed her eyes and sat up yawning. “Yes?”

“You know how I’ve told you we’ll be leaving town in a few years?”

Sinead’s eyes lit up. “Yes?”

“I’ve decided to make that happen a bit sooner than expected.”

“Really?” Sinead asked eagerly.

“But I won’t be able to go with you. I’m going to ask Cathal to take you and I’m going to ask Finten to send some of his men with you.”

Sinead blinked, confused. “Why? You promised that you would go with me.”

“I know love, but some things have changed. I’m going to explain everything to you.”

* * *

“I know this must be hard for you to hear, but do you understand why I’m doing this?”

Sinead was leaning against the headboard of her bed, studying her hands, a frown on her face. She looked up at Maigred. “I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand. You want to protect me.”

Maigred nodded. “Yes. I couldn’t do this if I thought you would get hurt.”

Sinead nodded again. “Yes, I understand.” There was something dark in her eyes.

“What is it Sinead?”

Sinead bit her lip and looked up at her mother, her eyes full of tears. “I don’t want you to get hurt either, mama.” A quiet sob broke out of her chest.

Maigred leaned forward and pulled Sinead to her chest. “I know, love. I know. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t promise that nothing bad will happen to me, but I’m going to do my best to stay safe, okay?”

Sinead nodded against her shoulder.

“I don’t know why the earth sister has asked me to walk this path. Maybe nothing will come of it. But this could be the key to saving all the girls in our territory. It might be the key to allowing you to safely come home. I want you to be able to live here and raise your family, connected to the earth. I don’t know what the outcome will be. But no matter what happens, I will do my best to get back to you. I promise.”

Sinead nodded. “Okay.” She sniffed back her sobs.

“You can’t talk to anyone about this. Okay? I’ll set everything up. And remember, you won’t be able to take anything with you.”

Sinead nodded. “It’s okay. As long as you come back to me.”

“I promise to do everything I can to get back to you, sweetheart.” Maigred leaned back and squeezed Sinead’s shoulders. “I’m so afraid for you.”

Sinead wiped her cheeks and smiled. “I’m not afraid for myself, mama. I’ll be fine. Just make sure you stay safe.”

Maigred smiled tightly and squeezed Sinead’s shoulders again. “Alright. Will you be able to sleep?”

Sinead nodded. “Yes. I don’t ever have a problem going to sleep.” She laid down, and pulled the covers over herself. “Are you coming back to sleep with me?”

Maigred shook her head. “I’ll be next door. I need to keep an eye on Finten.”

Sinead grinned. “He likes you.”

Maigred smiled. “What do you think of him?”

“He’s a good man.”

“I think so too.” Maigred leaned forward and kissed Sinead on the forehead. “Goodnight, love.”

“Goodnight, mama.”

Maigred went to the door and glanced back. Sinead’s eyelids already looked heavy. She smiled and Maigred smiled back before slipping out the door and shutting it behind herself. She went to her own door and stood there for a moment then went over to the bed and leaned over Finten. She felts his forehead. His fever hadn’t returned.

Finten reached up, his big fingers closed around her wrist and he pulled her hand to his chest. “Maig.” He muttered.

“Yes?” Maigred answered. But he didn’t say anything else. She tried to pull her hand away, but he didn’t let go. She let out a sigh and lay down on the bed next to him, her hand resting on his chest, in his gentle grip. She stared at his profile in the flickering firelight until she fell asleep.